20 million could benefit as weight-loss pill approved

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, August 11, 2026

The UK has approved orforglipron, a new oral weight-loss pill by Eli Lilly, making it the first European country to authorize the medication that showed around 12 percent body weight reduction in trials. This approval offers a potentially more convenient and affordable alternative to injectable treatments, with up to 20 million people in the UK eligible and projections of seven million users within a year.

The United Kingdom has become the first European country to approve the weight-loss pill orforglipron, developed by Eli Lilly, the US pharmaceutical company behind the Mounjaro injection. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorized the medicine, which demonstrated the ability to reduce body weight by approximately 12 percent in clinical trials. Around 20 million individuals in the UK could be eligible for the treatment.

Orforglipron, marketed under the name Foundayo, joins another recently approved oral medication, the Wegovy pill made by Novo Nordisk, which has been on the UK market since last month. Both drugs target GLP-1 receptors, mimicking the effects of injectable weight-loss treatments such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Currently, about two million people in the UK use these injections for weight management.

Unlike the Wegovy pill, which must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating, Foundayo has no such restrictions on timing or food intake. Both oral medications are licensed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who also have at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

The new pill presents a potential advantage in convenience and cost. While prices in the UK have not yet been finalized, Foundayo costs about £3 per dose in the United States, roughly half the cost of the comparable Mounjaro injection, which can exceed £300 monthly. Experts suggest the simpler formulation of orforglipron may reduce manufacturing and storage expenses relative to injectable treatments.

A recent study involving 376 participants who switched from injectable treatments to oral pills found patients maintained roughly 75 percent of their initial weight loss. The research also indicated sustained improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar control after switching to oral therapy.

Julian Beach, MHRA executive director of healthcare quality and access, stated the agency would continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of orforglipron following its approval. Projections indicate that up to seven million people in the UK could be using weight-loss pills by this time next year.

While some studies report that long-term use of the Wegovy pill at the highest dose can result in weight loss of up to 17 percent, orforglipron has shown greater effectiveness specifically in patients with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Simon Cork of Anglia Ruskin University described the MHRA’s decision as a significant advancement in obesity treatment, highlighting the pill’s lower expected cost and simpler production compared to injectable options or oral Wegovy.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.